ORLANDO, Fla. – Host Orlando City SC (No. 2 seed) defeated the Pittsburgh Riverhounds (No.7 seed) 5-0 in front of a screaming 8, 486 crowd. The Lions’ impressive play on the pitch, led by forward Long Tan, catapulted the team to the USL PRO Semifinals, in which the team is set to host the Charleston Battery (No. 3) on Friday, August 30, at the Fifth Third Bank Field at the Florida Citrus Bowl.
The Lions started the game with great intensity, seeing its first goal in the third minute by Long Tan. One minute later, Defender Renan Boufleur converted what started as a messy play in the 6-yard box into the Lions’ second goal.
The Lions’ defense remained solid throughout the entire game. Defenders Rob Valentino, Erik Ustruck, Luke Boden and Renan Boufleur held down the backline, allowing the Riverhounds minimal looks at the goal.
In the second half, the Lions mirrored the same sense of urgency and intensity from the first half, with a goal coming from both Long Tan and Dennis Chin. Midfielder Anthony Pulis sealed the deal with a penalty kick in the 79th minute, boosting the team to a 5-0 victory.
“I think the work rate that (Long) Tan and (Dennis) Chin produced set the tone for the entire night,” Orlando City Head Coach Adrian Heath said in the post-game press conference Saturday night after the victory. “It was important to note the role that they played.”
The Lions are set to host the defending league Champions Charleston Battery in the Semifinals on Friday, August 30, at Fifth Third Bank Field at the Florida Citrus Bowl. For more information on where to purchase tickets, call (855) ORL-CITY or visit OrlandoCitySoccer.com.
